WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. In today’s inauguration ceremony Donald J. Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Obama also met with Biden several times before the former vice president announced his presidential bid and pushed Biden on whether he would run for president again, the Times reports. Biden reportedly told Obama in response that he would not be able to forgive himself if he did not try to defeat President Donald Trump.

“You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t,” Obama said to Biden, a source familiar with the situation told the New York Times.

Biden also reportedly assured Obama aides in 2008 that “Barack would never have to worry” about Biden using his vice presidency to attempt a presidential bid, saying at the time he was too old for such aspirations.

The former vice president’s promise proved “helpful” in securing his spot in the White House, the Times reports that top Obama strategist David Plouffe said, since Biden was the only candidate to promise Obama this.

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